Going to a Picnic, from the series "A Brocade of Eastern Manners (Fuzoku Azuma no nishiki)" c. 1783 - 1784

Editor: Here we have Torii Kiyonaga's woodblock print, "Going to a Picnic, from the series 'A Brocade of Eastern Manners'," created around 1783 or 1784. There’s a lovely, tranquil feel to the composition and the understated colors. What symbols or cultural memories do you see in this piece? Curator: This print offers a window into the leisure and class structure of the Edo period. The very act of commissioning a print like this indicates a level of disposable income and cultural interest. Consider the figures themselves. What does their attire, their activities, tell you? Editor: Well, their elaborate kimonos suggest wealth. And the picnic box certainly means they have the leisure time for such activities. The umbrella bearer is another indicator of high status, I suppose? Curator: Exactly. The umbrella is a powerful symbol. What do umbrellas traditionally represent in various cultures beyond simply protection from the sun? Think about themes of status and covering… Editor: I guess that in the western world, it's an idea of shielding. A barrier. Showing they're distanced or even elevated above everyday life. Here it seems like a symbol of both protection and privilege. Curator: Precisely. Kiyonaga is not just depicting a scene; he is communicating social dynamics and aspirations through carefully chosen visual cues. Also, their posture seems like these women are unconcerned about the world around them; a bubble if you like, shielding from the chaos of society. How fascinating. Editor: It’s incredible how much information is embedded in these everyday images! Thank you, this makes me look at ukiyo-e in a new light. Curator: And for me it is nice to observe and discuss the psychological safety we seek when we put an umbrella over our head.